Chu Ruoyan didn’t utter a word, only tugging at the reins in an attempt to stop the horse.
But Princess Jiahui’s strike had been too forceful—even this usually effective method failed now.
Chu Ruolan sobbed, "Don’t worry about me! Just go!"
Chu Ruoyan ignored her plea, whispering instead into her ear, "Hold the horse!"
Instinctively, Chu Ruolan leaned forward and wrapped her arms around the horse’s neck—then felt the weight behind her vanish.
Chu Ruoyan had risen to her feet on the back of the galloping, panicked horse. No one knew how she maintained her balance, but with both hands gripping the reins, she pulled sharply left and right—
"What is she—"
"Rein twisting!!"
A skilled horse trainer couldn’t help but exclaim.
This was the fastest and most direct way to stop a runaway horse—an easy feat for seasoned riders, but to do it while standing on the horse’s back with such precision? None of them could claim the same!
Up in the stands, Chu Ruoyin was frantic.
She instinctively rushed forward but was suddenly jostled by someone.
"Careful!"
A deep, magnetic voice rang out as the flat of a curved blade steadied her waist, preventing her from falling backward.
Once she regained her footing, she barely spared a glance at the man, hastily thanking him before hurrying ahead.
"Ninth Master Qin… what are you looking at?"
The man gazed in the direction she had gone, thoughtful. "Find out which family she belongs to."
"Yes, Ninth Master Qin."
Meanwhile, back in the riding grounds—
The rein-twisting worked wonders. The frenzied horse, unable to bear the pain, gradually slowed.
The crowd watched as the beast’s pace slackened, and Chu Ruoyan smoothly returned to her seat behind Chu Ruolan. Just as it seemed the crisis had been averted—
Suddenly, the chestnut horse veered sharply toward Princess Jiahui!
Princess Yongyang’s face paled, and the palace eunuchs shrieked, "Your Highness! Move!"
But it was too late.
The horse closed the distance in a flash, stopping just inches from Princess Jiahui’s snow-white steed.
The Chu sisters were unharmed, but the sudden halt startled the princess’s mount, sending her tumbling to the ground.
"Heavens!"
"Your Highness!!"
The eunuchs covered their eyes, too afraid to look—only to see the horse’s hooves land mere inches from Princess Jiahui’s head.
A fraction closer, and she would have been crushed…
Princess Jiahui fainted from sheer terror.
Thankfully, the trainers rushed in to restrain the horse before it could wreak further havoc.
The spectacle left the crowd stunned. Ninth Master Qin narrowed his eyes. "Impressive horsemanship."
While others might be confused, he saw it clearly—Chu Ruoyan had already subdued the horse but deliberately steered it toward Princess Jiahui, stopping it at the last possible moment. It looked like an accident…
A perfect retaliation for Princess Jiahui spooking her sister’s horse.
An eye for an eye—just like Third Yan. A match made in heaven.
The nobles descended from the stands, with Princess Yongyang at the forefront. "Where are the imperial physicians?!"
Grand Imperial Physician Hu had been summoned to the empress dowager’s palace, leaving only Imperial Physician Du in attendance.
He hurried to examine Princess Jiahui. "She’s unconscious, but her pulse shows no serious injury—"
Princess Yongyang cut him off furiously. "No serious injury? The princess, a jewel of the realm, fell from her horse in front of everyone, and you dare say that?!"
Imperial Physician Du stiffened. True, the fall was harsh, but her internal organs were unharmed, and the horse hadn’t trampled her. What more did they want?
Madam Zou interjected, "Perhaps your skills are lacking, Physician Du. The princess is unconscious—clearly, the injury is severe. She should be returned to the palace at once."
Imperial Physician Du seethed silently. Since when did noblewomen know more than trained physicians? But offending them wasn’t an option.
As Chu Ruoyan and Chu Ruolan dismounted, Princess Yongyang snapped, "Chu sisters, you attempted to murder Princess Jiahui in public! Guards, arrest them!"
Lady Liu stumbled forward, trembling. "Your Highness, this is a misunderstanding! They would never dare—"
Princess Yongyang scoffed. "Everyone saw them charge at the princess, startling her horse into throwing her!"
The atmosphere grew tense.
Everyone knew Princess Jiahui had struck first, provoking the chaos. Under normal circumstances, they might’ve called it karma—but with the imperial family involved, no one dared speak up.
Chu Ruolan bit her lip. "It was my—"
Chu Ruoyan spoke over her, smiling faintly. "Oh? Your Highness must be mistaken. Our horse panicked—an unfortunate accident. How could it be intentional?"
Princess Yongyang’s hatred for the girl flared. "Miss Chu, your silver tongue won’t save you today. The princess is the emperor’s favorite daughter. Do you think you can talk your way out of this?"
The crowd pitied them. Of all people to cross, why the royal family?
Xie Yaozhi tried to intervene, but Old Madam Xie clamped a hand over her mouth and dragged her aside.
As guards closed in, Chu Ruoyan arched a brow. "So Your Highness insists on twisting the truth?"
Princess Yongyang smirked. "What if I do? Whether intentional or not, harming the princess is a death sentence!"
Just then, a calm yet authoritative voice cut through—
"Is that so?"
All turned to see Empress Pei approaching, surrounded by palace maids.
Her regal bearing was laced with quiet fury. Princess Yongyang’s face fell—she knew she’d miscalculated.
Empress Pei’s voice was icy. "Princess Yongyang, as Prince Yu’s consort, has he not taught you the difference between justice and tyranny?"
Princess Yongyang dropped to her knees.
The crowd bowed. "Greetings to Her Majesty the Empress! May Your Majesty live a thousand years!"
Empress Pei gestured for them to rise. "No need for formalities."
Her gaze then shifted to Madam Zou. "You are Duke Zou’s wife, yes? Since you represent him, do convey my question: Is Princess Yongyang’s arrogance a reflection of the Zou Family’s upbringing?"
